Man held on child's death after babysitting

March 24, 2010 12:41:59 AM PDT

COLTON, Calif. --

A 19-year-old man has been arrested and is accused of child abuse for the death of a five-year-old girl who was under his care. Johnny Alcala is being held on $1 million bail in the death of Melissa Gomez. San Bernardino County Sheriff's investigators claim Alcala was babysitting the girl on March 17 while her mother worked. He later brought the child to the hospital with severe head injuries.

She was transferred to Loma Linda hospital where she later died.

Alcala claimed that the 5-year-old was hurt in a fall, but authorities believe she had been abused. An autopsy is planned on the victim.

Anyone with any information about the case is asked to call the San Bernardino County Sheriff's department or the We-Tip hotline at 1-800-78-CRIME.